U.S. patent number 6,123,232 [Application Number 09/349,758] was granted by the patent office on 2000-09-26 for liquid dispensing device and hygienic adapter therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Elkay Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Lowell C. Burnham, Edward H. Donselman, Scott E. Sloan, Steve Suchanek.
United States Patent |
6,123,232 |
Donselman , et al. |
September 26, 2000 |
Liquid dispensing device and hygienic adapter therefor
Abstract
A liquid dispensing device and a hygienic adapter are provided
wherein the dispensing device includes a cabinet housing a liquid
reservoir open at its upper end with a generally annular ring
portion for supporting the shoulder portion of an inverted bottle
over the reservoir and the adapter includes a feed tube having a
generally cylindrical outer portion and a substantially hollow
interior defining at least one flow path for dispensing liquid from
the inverted bottle into the reservoir and for admitting
replacement air from the reservoir into the bottle and wherein the
outer portion of the feed tube is formed integrally with and is
supported by a cup-shaped structure having an inwardly stepped side
wall and an opening for admitting air into the upper end of the
reservoir.
Inventors: |
Donselman; Edward H. (Freeport,
IL), Burnham; Lowell C. (Freeport, IL), Sloan; Scott
E. (Freeport, IL), Suchanek; Steve (Madison, WI) |
Assignee: |
Elkay Manufacturing Company
(Oak Brook, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22486531 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/349,758 |
Filed: |
July 8, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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756064 |
Nov 25, 1996 |
6029860 |
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472118 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
5577393 |
|
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139414 |
Oct 20, 1993 |
5493873 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/185.1;
141/364; 222/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
3/00 (20130101); B67D 3/0009 (20130101); B67D
3/0038 (20130101); B67D 3/0032 (20130101); B67D
2210/00005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
3/00 (20060101); B67D 005/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/185.1,481.5,81,325
;141/363,364,365,366 ;62/389 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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631376 |
|
Nov 1961 |
|
CA |
|
WO90/03919 |
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Apr 1990 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Shaver; Kevin
Assistant Examiner: Deal; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
"This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/756,064, filed
Nov. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,860, which is a continuation
of Ser. No. 08/472,118, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,577,393, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/139,414,
filed Oct. 20, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,873.
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior-filed copending
application Ser. No. 08/139,414, for "Liquid Dispensing Device,"
filed Oct. 20, 1993, assigned to the same assignee as the present
application and hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A liquid dispensing device including a generally cylindrical
liquid reservoir normally open at its upper end for receiving
liquid from an inverted bottle having a downwardly and inwardly
sloping shoulder portion merging into a depending neck portion
defining a discharge opening, said liquid dispensing device
comprising, in combination,
a top support having a generally centrally disposed annular opening
with a depending skirt portion dimensioned for reception in the
open upper end of said reservoir, said top support defining a
generally annular ring portion for supporting said shoulder portion
of said inverted bottle above said liquid reservoir and wherein
said top support includes a downwardly extending peripheral margin
for generally centering said annular opening over said
reservoir,
a feed tube comprising a generally cylindrical outer portion and a
substantially hollow interior defining at least one flow path for
dispensing liquid from said inverted bottle into said reservoir and
for admitting replacement air from said reservoir into said
bottle,
means for mounting said feed tube in upstanding relation in the
upper portion of said reservoir, said mounting means including a
cup-shaped structure formed integrally with and supporting said
upstanding feed tube in generally centered relation with respect to
said annular opening and said reservoir, said cup-shaped structure
having an inwardly stepped sidewall and an upper portion for
suspending said integral feed tube and cup-shaped structure from
said top support, and
means defining an opening through said cup-shaped structure
radially outwardly from said feed tube for admitting air into the
upper end of said reservoir.
2. A liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said
opening for admitting air is located in said cup-shaped structure
adjacent said stepped sidewall.
3. A liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 2 including an
air filter having a filter element and a housing, and a conduit
connecting said filter housing and said air opening in said
cup-shaped structure.
4. A liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 1 including an
annular gasket carried by and surrounding said cup-shaped structure
adjacent said stepped sidewall for sealingly closing said open
upper end of said reservoir.
5. A liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 4 wherein said
cup-shaped structure includes a peripheral flange portion
engageable with and at least partially supported by said open end
of said reservoir.
6. A liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 4 wherein said
cup-shaped structure is provided at its upper end with at least a
pair of circumferentially spaced members for supporting and
suspending said cup-shaped structure within the upper end of said
reservoir.
7. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter for use with a liquid
dispensing device including a generally cylindrical liquid
reservoir normally open at its upper end for receiving liquid from
an inverted bottle having a downwardly and inwardly sloping
shoulder portion merging into a depending neck portion defining a
discharge opening, said liquid dispensing device including a
generally annular ring portion for supporting said shoulder portion
of said inverted bottle above said liquid reservoir, said adapter
comprising, in combination,
a feed tube comprising a generally cylindrical outer portion and a
substantially hollow interior defining at least one flow path for
dispensing liquid from said inverted bottle into said reservoir and
for admitting replacement air from said reservoir into said
bottle,
means for mounting said feed tube in upstanding relation in the
upper portion of said reservoir, said mounting means including a
cup-shaped structure formed integrally with and supporting said
upstanding feed tube in generally centered relation with respect to
said annular ring portion and said reservoir, said cup-shaped
structure having an inwardly stepped sidewall and an upper portion
for suspending said integral feed tube and cup-shaped structure
within said reservoir, and
means defining an opening through said cup-shaped structure
radially outwardly from said feed tube for admitting air into the
upper end of said reservoir.
8. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 7
wherein said opening for admitting air is located in said
cup-shaped structure adjacent said stepped sidewall.
9. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 8
including an air filter having a filter element and a housing, and
a conduit connecting said filter housing and said air opening in
said cup-shaped structure.
10. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 7
including an annular gasket carried by and surrounding said
cup-shaped structure adjacent said stepped sidewall for sealingly
closing said open upper end of said reservoir.
11. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 10
wherein said cup-shaped structure includes a peripheral flange
portion engageable with and at least partially supported by said
open end of said reservoir.
12. A hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 10
wherein said cup-shaped structure is provided at its upper end with
at least a pair of circumferentially spaced members for supporting
and suspending said cup-shaped structure within the upper end of
salad reservoir.
13. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter for use with a liquid
dispensing device including a generally cylindrical liquid
reservoir normally open at its upper end for receiving liquid from
an inverted bottle having a downwardly and inwardly sloping
shoulder portion merging into a depending neck portion defining a
discharge opening, said liquid dispensing device including a
generally annular ring portion for supporting said shoulder portion
of said inverted bottle above said liquid reservoir, wherein said
adapter includes a feed tube comprising a generally cylindrical
outer portion and a substantially hollow interior defining at least
one flow path for dispensing liquid from said inverted bottle into
said reservoir and for admitting replacement air from said
reservoir into said bottle, and means for mounting said feed tube
in upstanding relation in the upper portion of said reservoir,
the improvement comprising said mounting means including a
cup-shaped structure formed integrally with and supporting said
upstanding feed tube in generally centered relation with respect to
said annular ring portion and said reservoir, said cup-shaped
structure having an inwardly stepped sidewall and an upper portion
for suspending said integral feed tube and cup-shaped structure
within said reservoir, and
means defining an opening through said cup-shaped structure
radially outwardly from said feed tube for admitting air into the
upper end of said reservoir.
14. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 13
wherein said opening for admitting air is located in said
cup-shaped structure adjacent said stepped sidewall.
15. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 14
including an air filter having a filter element and a housing, and
a conduit connecting said filter housing and said air opening in
said cup-shaped structure.
16. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 13
including an annular gasket carried by and surrounding said
cup-shaped structure adjacent said stepped sidewall for sealingly
closing said open upper end of said reservoir.
17. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 16
wherein said cup-shaped structure includes a peripheral flange
portion engageable with and at least partially supported by said
open end of said reservoir.
18. In a hygienic liquid dispensing adapter as defined in claim 16
wherein said cup-shaped structure is provided at its upper end with
at least a pair of circumferentially spaced members for supporting
and suspending said cup-shaped structure within the upper end of
said reservoir.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to beverage dispensers, such as
refrigerated water or beverage coolers. More particularly, the
present invention is directed to liquid dispensers which include
components which may be easily removed from the housing of the
cooler and/or disassembled for easy cleaning, replacement, or
repair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bottle-type water coolers generally include an upright cabinet or
housing containing a refrigeration unit and a liquid container
which receives the mouth and neck portion of a inverted water
bottle. Water flows from the bottle until the water level closes
the bottle neck. Typically a refrigeration system cools the
reservoir and the water being held there. Some systems are provided
with an additional tank, supplied with water from the reservoir,
and have a heating system which provides hot water. Water is
dispensed by draining the reservoir, usually through a faucet. When
the water level falls below the inverted bottle neck, air in the
reservoir can enter the bottle, bubble to the top, and release more
water to maintain the water level in the reservoir.
Inherent in the design of many of the water coolers or beverage
dispensers currently in use are problems associated with sterility
or cleanliness. Such problems may result from the materials from
which the components which comprise the water flow path are formed.
Thus, the potential for oxidation or general deterioration of the
materials, particularly rust formation, tends to reduce the
usefulness of such apparatus. Additionally, depending upon the
location and environment of the dispenser, the type of water or
other beverage used in the dispenser, the rate at which the water
or other beverage is used, and the care taken to prevent
introduction of foreign matter when a water bottle is replaced,
particulate and other types of contaminants may be introduced to
the liquid container and may be ultimately dispensed through normal
operation. To maintain cleanliness, the components comprising the
water flow path of conventional bottle-type water coolers require
periodic cleaning to remove sediment or other contaminants, such as
dirty film. The frequency of cleaning required for such water
coolers generally depends, at least in part, on the above
enumerated conditions.
Some of the difficulties related to maintaining a desirable level
of cleanliness in such units are caused by the inaccessibility of
the components which comprise the water flow path. Thus, many of
the liquid containers are so constructed that it is difficult or
impossible to clean all of the internal surfaces with these
components in the housing. To remove these components from the
housing also proves difficult with most of the water coolers
currently being used. Disassembly or removal in most of the water
coolers of this type typically requires either large expenditures
of time, the use of tools and in some instances special tools, or
the possible destruction of components of the water cooler,
particularly seals, in the disassembly procedure, or a combination
of the foregoing. The removal procedure and the attendant
difficulties associated therewith tend to discourage the periodic
maintenance required for cleanliness of such water or beverage
dispensing systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the invention to provide a liquid
dispenser that is highly serviceable, and a more specific object of
the invention is to provide a dispenser that may be easily
assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser
wherein the components comprising the water flow path may be
completely removed from the housing for replacement or cleaning. A
related object is to provide a dispenser in which the components
comprising the water flow path are internally cleanable.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which is
durable, even at high temperatures, the components of the dispenser
exhibiting high thermal stability and being resistant to UV
degradation.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a unit that is
safe, even for home use, and meets all applicable governmental
safety regulations.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a unit that may
be easily and economically manufactured and assembled.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a liquid dispenser is
provided including a cabinet housing a liquid reservoir open at its
upper end and readily releasable from engagement with the
evaporator coil of a refrigeration unit for removal from the
cabinet. The reservoir is surrounded by insulation which may be
removed in sections. The dispenser also includes a removable
waterway and valve assembly with inlet couplings press-fit to the
reservoir outlets and to the inlets and outlets of a hot tank
removably suspended below the valve assembly and liquid reservoir.
The removable waterway and valve assembly is preferably made in two
"halves" suitably held together by removable connections such as
bolts or screws so that the assembly may be readily disassembled
for inspection and cleaning. The hot tank may be pivoted down and
shifted away from the valve assembly to facilitate removal of the
latter. The valve operating lever for the hot water discharge is
provided with a safety interlock catch to prevent inadvertent
discharge of hot water from the valved faucet. The hot tank drain
is also provided with a recessed cam-operated compression valve to
facilitate authorized draining of the hot tank with a suitable cam
engaging tool but to preclude inadvertent draining of the hot tank
by a child. The dispenser may be used as a conventional inverted
bottled water cooler or fitted with an adapter including a
dispensing feed tube for opening and closing special no-spill type
bottle caps.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be
more readily apparent upon reading the following description of a
preferred exemplified embodiment of the invention and upon
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a liquid dispensing system cabinet
of the present invention, with an inverted liquid container shown
located above the dispenser rather than in a lower supported
position to discharge its contents into the dispensing system
housed within the cabinet;
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the dispensing system of
this invention, showing the frame assembly, side and top panels and
the principal internal dispensing system components;
FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the front panel of the
dispenser of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the primary reservoir and structure
shown in assembled relation in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the cold water reservoir
and insulation assembly, the insulation assembly being partially
cut away to show the evaporator coil and wedge assemblies;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cooling
reservoir, valve waterway assembly, and hot tank cover;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the valve waterway assembly and
the hot water dispensing lever;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the hot tank in the use position
in the cooler;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the hot tank partially
disassembled from the cooler;
FIG. 10a is an enlarged side view of the pinching assembly wherein
the discharge hose is pinched;
FIG. 10b is an enlarged side view of the pinching assembly wherein
the discharge hose is not pinched;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view of the
upper portion of the reservoir with a no-spill adapter and entry
portion installed;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 6, of
the cooling reservoir, a modified preferred waterway and valve
assembly, and hot tank cover;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view similar to FIG. 7, of the modified
preferred waterway and valve assembly and hot water dispensing
lever shown in FIG. 12; and
FIG. 14 is an enlarged top plan view of the modified preferred
waterway and valve assembly shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
While the invention will be described in connection with certain
preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those
embodiments. on the contrary, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown a liquid dispensing
system (shown generally as 10) including a cabinet (shown generally
as 15) of the type having an open-topped primary cooling reservoir
which is disposed to receive water from the inverted neck 16 of a
bottle 18 containing drinking water or other potable liquid. In
keeping with an aspect of the present invention, the cabinet has
readily removable side and front panel components (20 and 22,
respectively) and can be fitted with a top panel 23 which can also
be readily removed, independent of the side panels, and changed to
suit various dispensing applications. Typically, the reservoir and
its contents are subject to temperature control by a refrigeration
system and/or a heating system which, as described in greater
detail below, is contained in the lower portion of the cabinet 15.
Hot, cold and ambient temperature water may be obtained from the
dispenser faucets by depressing the appropriate one of a plurality
of valve operating levers projecting outwardly from the front panel
22 of the cabinet. In the illustrated cooler, the front panel has a
recessed portion within which the faucet levers are mounted so as
to set the faucets back into the cabinet and thus prevent
inadvertent contact.
In keeping with the invention, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the
cabinet 15 is comprised of a supporting frame assembly (shown
generally as 25), which as illustrated is made up of a baseplate
26, an upstanding frame component 27, and a shelf 28. The baseplate
and shelf are each connected and secured in cantilever fashion to
the upstanding frame component by dovetailed connections and are
reinforced by side-mounted gusset plates 29 that serve to
interconnect and align the baseplate and shelf with respect to the
upstanding frame component. The gusset plates 29 also serve to
strengthen the joint between the baseplate and the shelf on the one
hand and the upstanding frame component on the other, and to this
end, a plurality of projections or bosses 30 are provided on the
interior surface of each gusset plate and are received in openings
31 on the sides of the baseplate 26 and shelf components 28 such
that forces can be effectively transmitted therebetween. The gusset
plates 29 are also preferably provided with three additional tab
projections 33 which are snap-fit into openings 34 in the baseplate
26, shelf 28 and frame 27, and which serve to hold the gusset
plates to the frame components with the bosses 30 engaged in the
openings 31. The baseplate 26 and shelf 28 are designed to be
readily demountable from the frame 27 and further details thereof,
including the interfitting dovetailed connections are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,935 for "Cabinet and Supporting Frame for
Liquid Dispensing System" which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the preferred dispensing system of the
present invention includes a refrigeration system, designated
generally as 35, comprising conventional components such as a
compressor, condenser and evaporator coils. A thermostat, relay and
electrical cables (designated generally as TC) are located,
preferably, within a lower portion of the cabinet. The compressor
36 is powered by electricity received through a cord 37 from an
external electric power outlet (not shown). The compressor
compresses and circulates a refrigerant, such as HCFC 134a, through
a line 38 to a condenser unit 39, which is attached by suitable
connectors such as screws to the rear of the upstanding frame
component 27. The condenser unit condenses the hot gas received
from the compressor, and the condensed refrigerant is then
circulated to an evaporator 40 (shown in FIG. 4), where the
refrigerant evaporates, cooling the adjacent surface of the water
reservoir. From the evaporator, the refrigerant is returned to the
compressor via a supply line.
In keeping with the invention, the frame structure 25 supports the
refrigeration system 35, as described above, the cooling reservoir
100, a hot tank 220, the dispensing valve or valve waterway
assembly 156, and the side, front, and top panel components 20, 22
and 23. The reservoir 100 is supported by and rests on the shelf
28, and will be described in greater detail hereinbelow with
reference to FIG. 4. As will be understood from the exploded view
in the lower right side of FIG. 2, the hot tank 220 is suspended
from shelf 28 and has an inlet 222 and an outlet 224.
A top support 50 overlies the reservoir 45 and has an opening which
is coextensive with the open top of the reservoir. A hygienic
liquid dispensing system may be utilized with the dispenser of the
present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11 comprises a
downwardly and inwardly tapered entry portion 52 nested in a
cup-shaped support structure 56. The support structure includes a
pair of diametrically opposed mounting arms 57 which engage the top
support 50 and suspend the cup structure therefrom. An annular
diaphragm-gasket 55 surrounds the cup-shaped structure and
sealingly closes the open upper portion of the reservoir. Centrally
located in the cup structure is an upstanding, hollow feed tube 60,
whose operation is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.
5,222,531, assigned to Elkay Manufacturing Company of Oak Brook,
Ill. Thus, the feed tube 60 comprises a generally cylindrical outer
portion and substantially hollow interior defining at least one
flow path for dispensing liquid from an inverted bottle into the
reservoir 45 and for admitting replacement air from the reservoir
into the bottle. An air filter may be provided with a filter
element 62 having a filter medium removably fitted on the housing
of the filter. A conduit 63 is connected to the filter housing and
passes via a grommet through the cup-shaped
structure so that air cannot enter the reservoir except by passing
through the filter medium.
It is a preferred feature of the present invention, and as
illustrated in FIG. 2, that the top support 50 is designed to be
covered by a top panel 23 which, as illustrated in FIG. 2, has an
annular mounting ring 65 which is provided with a ledge to support
the tapered entry member 52 extending downwardly and inwardly from
the annular ring on the upper portion of the top panel 23. The
entry member 52 is formed with a lower end having a length greater
than the neck of the bottle 18 so that substantially all of the
weight of the inverted bottle is supported by the annular ring 65
on the presented surface of the top panel. As shown in the
embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the upstanding
hollow feed tube 60 is formed integrally with and as a one-piece
unit with the cup-shaped structure 56 which has an inwardly stepped
sidewall adjacent the annular gasket 55. Also, as shown in FIG. 11,
a peripheral flange portion at the upper end of the cup-shaped
structure is adapted to engage and be supported on a radially
extending shoulder portion of the reservoir 45 adjacent its open
upper end.
Pursuant to an important feature of the invention, elongated metal
rods 70, preferably all of uniform length to be interchangeable,
and each with a head portion 71 on one end, are provided to secure
selected components of and within the cabinet to one another. As
shown most clearly in FIG. 2, one rod 70a is provided to
interconnect the top support 50 to the upstanding frame component
27. The frame component 27 has, on its upper end, a pair of aligned
holes 72a through which rod 70a can be inserted; a second pair of
aligned openings is formed in two pivot lugs (not shown) which
depend from the underside of the top support 50 and are molded
integrally therewith. The pivot lugs are dimensioned to loosely fit
within notches 74 formed in the top of the frame component 27, so
that when the top support is placed in position on the frame
component, the rod 70a can pass through the aligned holes of the
frame component and the pivot lugs of the top support, thereby
capturing the top support and pivotally securing it to the frame
component.
In keeping with another important aspect of the invention, the side
panels 20 are also readily removable and are hung in position by
lugs 76 provided on both the upstanding frame component 27 and the
peripheral edge of the front panel 22 (as shown in FIG. 3). To
facilitate the quick release of the side panels from the cabinet, a
plurality of bayonet-type tab fittings 77 are provided on the
inside surface of each side panel for engagement with recesses 78
formed in the complementary lugs 76 on the frame component 27 and
the front panel 22. It will be understood, of course, that other
suitable fastening means may be provided to allow the quick removal
of the side panels from the frame assembly to provide ready access
to the interior of the cabinet of the liquid dispensing system.
Also as shown in FIG. 2, a single screw placed in recess 79 in
frame component 27 can be utilized to lock projecting tab 79a on
each side panel to the frame assembly so that only a standard tool,
such as a screw driver, is necessary to remove the side panels from
the cabinet. For further details concerning the preferred
construction and arrangement of the readily removable side panels
20, front panel 22, top panel 23 and the cross pin connecting rods
70 reference may be made to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.
5,553,935.
The water or other potable liquid is received from the inverted
water bottle by the removable cooling reservoir 100 through an open
top 101, as shown in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 4, in order to
cool the water contained within the cooling reservoir 100, an
evaporator coil assembly 102 is provided. The evaporator coil
assembly 102 includes at least one refrigerant filled cooling coil
or tube 104, and a bulbwell tube or cold thermostat 106. The
cooling coil 104 and the bulbwell tube 106 are disposed about the
lower portion of the reservoir 100, the cooling coil 104 preferably
having several turns wrapped about the reservoir 100.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the
reservoir is removable from the water cooler 10. One feature of the
invention which helps accomplish this object is the use of a
camming block or expandable wedge assembly 110, which is shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5. The wedge assembly 110 further increases efficiency
of the cooler 10 by maximizing contact between the cooling coil 104
and the outer surface of the reservoir 100. The wedge assembly 110
includes upper and lower wedges 112, 114, having angled surfaces
116, 118 disposed adjacent one another. To adjust the relationship
of the wedges 112, 114, a set screw or bolt 120 extends through the
upper surface 122 of the upper wedge 112 and the lower surface 124
of the lower wedge 114, and into a nut 126. A washer 128 may be
provided between the head of the bolt 120 and the upper surface 122
of the upper wedge 112. The nut 126 is secured to the lower wedge
114, preferably by countersinking the nut 126 into the lower
surface 124, to prevent relative rotation between the nut 126 and
the lower wedge 114. By adjusting the bolt 120 extending through
the upper and lower wedges 112, 114, one may adjust the
relationship of the wedges 112, 114 by sliding one over the other
to increase or decrease the width of the wedge assembly 110.
As shown in FIG. 5, the wedge assembly 110 is disposed between the
outer surface of the reservoir 100 and the inner circumference of
the wrapped cooling coil 104. While the wedge assembly 110 may be
coupled to the water cooler 10 by any appropriate means, the lower
wedge 114 preferably includes teeth 130, in this case in the form
of two probes, which extend downward into the insulation assembly
132. It will be appreciated that cooling coil 104, which is wrapped
about the reservoir 100 and the wedge assembly 110, has a generally
circular, but somewhat elliptical shape, with a limited
non-circular portion. The wedge assembly 110 is disposed in the
non-circular portion of the wrapped coil 104 having the smaller
radius. By rotating the bolt 120 extending through the upper and
lower wedges 112, 114, an operator may adjust the relationship
between the wedges 112, 114 to increase or decrease the width of
the wedge assembly 110. The bolt 120 may be tightened to increase
the width of the wedge assemble 110 and draw the cooling coil 104
closer around the reservoir 100. Alternately, the bolt 120 may be
loosened to decrease the width of the wedge assemble 110 to loosen
the cooling coil 104 around the reservoir 110. By decreasing the
width of the wedge assembly 110, the cooling coil 104 may be
sufficiently loosened around the cooling reservoir 110 so that the
reservoir may be lifted from its position within the wrapped
cooling coil 104.
Another feature of the invention which contributes to the easy
removal of the cooling reservoir 100 from the water cooler 10 is
the insulation assembly 132, which may be at least partially
disassembled. While the specific design of the insulation assembly
132 may vary, in this embodiment, the insulation assembly 132
includes three components, a lower base portion 134, an upstanding
sidewall portion 136, and a top retainer ring 138. The insulation
assembly 132 is preferably fabricated from styrofoam or the
like.
The lower insulation base 134 has an elliptically shaped upwardly
extending wall 140, with a closed bottom portion 142. The reservoir
100 and the coil assembly 102 nest within the lower insulation 134,
as shown in FIG. 5.
The insulation sidewall portion 136 is disposed about the reservoir
100 adjacent the elliptically shaped upwardly extending wall 140 of
the lower insulation 134. The sidewall insulation 136 has an
elliptical shape at its lower portion which mates with the
elliptically shaped wall 140 of the insulation base portion 134. In
this embodiment, a flange 144 is disposed along the upper surface
of the wall 140 of the lower insulation 134. The flange 144 mates
with the insulation sidewall 136 to improve the integrity of the
seal between the base and sidewall insulation 134, 136 and
facilitates placement of the sidewall insulation 136 on the base
insulation 134. The sidewall insulation 136 further includes a
substantially cylindrical portion 148. In this way, the sidewall
insulation 136 substantially follows the outer contours of the
reservoir 100 and the evaporator coil assembly 102.
In order to seal the insulation assembly 132 to the outer surface
of the reservoir 100, a top retainer ring 138 may be provided. The
retainer ring 138 is disposed adjacent the top portion of the
cooling reservoir 100. The insulation retainer ring 138 may
likewise include a flange 150 which extends into the inner diameter
of the insulation sidewall 136. This flange 150 properly locates
the retainer ring 138 along the upper edge of the insulation
sidewall 136 and seals the insulation assembly 132 to the outer
surface of the reservoir 100.
According to an important aspect of the invention, the insulation
sidewall 136 and top retainer ring 138 may be removed from the
reservoir 100, so that the reservoir 100 may be lifted from the
lower insulation base 134. In accomplishing this object, the
retainer ring 138 has a split construction, so that it may be
expanded and removed from the reservoir 100. In the preferred
embodiment, the retainer ring 138 has only one split 152. It will
be appreciated, however, that the retainer ring 138 could include a
hinge-type arrangement, or be designed to include two or more
components. To remove the reservoir 100 from the insulation
assembly 132, the retainer ring 138 is first removed. The
insulation sidewall 136 may then be lifted off of the cooling
reservoir 100, and the cooling reservoir 100 lifted from the
insulation base 134.
In order to direct the flow of the water through the water cooler
10, a valve waterway assembly 156 is disposed substantially
adjacent the reservoir 100. The valve waterway assembly 156 is
preferably fabricated from a durable polymer, such as polyphenylene
sulfide. Shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 6, the assembly 156
includes a series of internal flow paths 160, 170, 180, which
communicate with inlets 162, 172, 182 and standard spring biased
valves 164, 174, 184 to dispense cooled, ambient temperature, and
heated water from the outlets 166, 176, 186. The valves 164, 174,
184 are actuated by depressing spring biased valve operating levers
or dispensing levers 168, 178, 188 (the springs are identified as
167, 177, 187 in FIG. 3).
In accordance with an important object of the invention, the valve
waterway assembly 156 is completely removable from the water cooler
10, and may be disassembled for internal cleaning. In accomplishing
this object, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valved waterway
assembly 156 illustrated there includes upper and lower components
190, 192, which are hinged together along one edge in a clamshell
design. In this embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower
components 190, 192 are hinged together by hooks and eyes and the
upper and lower components 190, 192 may be completely separated.
Thus, the internal flow paths 160, 170, 180, inlets 162, 172, 182,
valves 164, 174, 184, and outlets 166, 176, 186 of the assembly may
be thoroughly cleaned. It will be appreciated, however, that the
hinge may be of any appropriate design. For example, the waterway
assembly 156 may be formed as a unitary assembly, and include a
"living hinge," formed at a weakened area of reduced thickness
between the upper and lower components 190, 192.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, to secure the upper
and lower components 190, 192 of the valve waterway assembly 156
together, the assembly 156 is provided with a key fastening
arrangement, as shown in FIG. 7. The upper and lower components
190, 192 include openings 194, 196 through which removable
fastening keys 198 may be inserted and rotated to secure the
components 190, 192 together along their open edge which defines
the parting line between these components.
Returning now to the design of the reservoir 100, as shown in FIGS.
4 and 6, the water passes out of the reservoir 100 and into the
valve waterway assembly 156. The water flows through discharge
fittings or inlet waterway tubes 200, 202 sealed by gaskets 204,
206 in openings 208, 210 in the bottom portion of the reservoir
100. The inlets 162, 172 are sealed to the inlet waterway tubes
200, 202 with O-rings or the like, and, preferably, provide a tight
engagement to secure the components together.
Cooled water from the lower portion of the reservoir 100 passes
directly out through the waterway tube 200 and into the waterway
assembly 156 through the inlet 162 and the internal flow path 160.
The cooled water may then be dispensed through the outlet 166 on
demand by depressing the cold water dispensing lever 168 to actuate
the valve 164.
The water within the reservoir 100 is divided by a removable baffle
214, which may be removed from the reservoir 100 for cleaning,
repair, or replacement. In this way, the cooled water is disposed
below the baffle 214 in the lower portion of the reservoir 100,
while the higher, ambient temperature water, or cooking water, is
disposed above the baffle 214 in the upper portion of the reservoir
100. The baffle 214 includes a funnel shaped structure 216, which
is disposed within the other opening 210, such that cooking water
flows out of the upper portion of the reservoir 100 through the
waterway tube 202. To prevent the baffle 214 from being
inadvertently placed in the opening 208 through which cooled water
is designed to flow, the baffle 214 is keyed to the cooking inlet
waterway tube 202.
Cooking water flows from reservoir 100, through the inlet waterway
tube 202, and into the inlet 172 and internal flow path 170 of the
valve waterway 156. The cooking water may then be dispensed through
the outlet 176 on demand by depressing the cook water dispensing
lever 178 to actuate the valve 174.
In order to provide hot water from the water cooler 10, a hot tank
220 may be provided. A flow of water is provided to the hot tank
220 from the cooking water in the reservoir 100 through the inlet
172 of the valve waterway assembly 156. As best shown in FIG. 6,
the inlet 172 provides a flow of cooking water to a hot tank inlet
tube 222 through opening 172a in the valve waterway assembly 156.
In this way, the inlet 172 not only provides cooking water to the
internal flow path of the valve waterway assembly 156 for
dispensing, the inlet 172 further provides room temperature cooking
water from the reservoir 100 to the hot tank 220 for further
heating.
To provide hot water from the hot tank 220, a hot tank outlet tube
224 is provided. The hot tank outlet tube 224 communicates with and
is sealed to the inlet 182. Preferably, the tube 224 and the inlet
182 are tightly engaged to secure the components together. In this
way, the hot tank 220 provides a flow of heated water to the
internal flow path 180 for dispensing through the outlet 186 upon
depressing the hot water dispensing lever 188 to actuate the valve
184.
Referring now to FIG. 3, rod 70f secures the levers 168, 178, 188
in the front panel of the cooler 10. In order to dispense cold or
cook water from the valves 164, 174, the cold or cook water
dispensing lever 168, 178 is depressed to rotate the lever
counterclockwise about pivot rod 70f. As the dispensing lever 168,
178 rotates, the actuator arm 274 of the dispensing lever lifts the
stem 164a, 174a of the valve 164, 174 to open the valve 164, 174 to
permit a flow of water through the outlet 166, 176.
Turning now to FIG. 7, the hot water dispensing lever 188 operates
in substantially this same manner to dispense water through the
outlet 186. In order to prevent accidental dispensing of hot water,
however, and in order to comply with federal safety standards, the
hot water dispensing lever 188 is provided with a safety lock,
which includes a push bar or safety button 270 which fits within
and must be pressed inward within the lever 188 in order to operate
the dispensing lever 188.
When the safety button 270 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the
safety arm 278 abuts a stationary safety rod 70d. Thus, the
interaction of the safety arm 278 and the safety rod 70d prevents
the dispensing lever 188 from rotating about the pivot rod 70f. As
a result, the hot water dispensing lever 188 cannot be depressed to
actuate the valve 184 to provide a flow of water.
In order to operate the hot water dispensing lever 188, the safety
button 270 must first be pressed inward within the dispensing lever
188. When the safety button 270 is depressed inward, the safety arm
278 clears the safety rod 70d to permit rotation of the dispensing
lever 188 about the pivot rod 70f. Thus, it is only when the safety
button 276 is depressed that the valve 184 may be actuated to
dispense hot water from the outlet 186.
Returning now to the structure of the hot tank 220 and in
accordance with the objects of the invention, the hot tank 220 is
completely removable from the water cooler 10, and may be
disassembled for cleaning or replacement. As shown in FIGS. 2, 9
and 10, the hot tank 220 includes an open top tank 226, and a cover
228, each having a series of flanges 226a, 228a, which engage along
their mating surfaces. In this way, the open top tank 226 and cover
228 may be separated to facilitate easy and thorough cleaning.
Preferably, the hot tank inlet and outlet tubes 222, 224 extend
through and are formed integrally with the cover 228. However, the
tubes could be separately formed and secured and sealed to the
cover 228. The heating coil 230 and the heat thermostat 232 are
preferably located in the lower portion of the hot tank 220, and
the hot tank inlet tube 222 extends down to the bottom portion of
the hot tank 220. In this way the lower temperature water is
heated, and then rises to the top. The hot tank outlet tube 224
extends from the upper portion of the hot tank cover 228, to drain
the hottest water from the hot tank 220.
As shown in FIG. 8, the hot tank 220 is held in position in the
water cooler 10 by two rods 70b, 70c, which provide hinge type
assemblies that may be disassembled to permit removal of the hot
tank 220. Disposed along the open top of the tank 226 are spaced
ears or arms 234, 236, 238, 240 which define through holes 234a,
236a, 238a, 240a. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
arms are each formed from a pair of arm components which are curved
in opposite directions to form the through holes.
The shelf 28 of the water cooler 10 is similarly provided with lugs
or support brackets 242, 244, 246, and spacers 243, 245 which
extend downward from the lower surface of the shelf 28. Support
brackets 242, 244 define through holes 242a, 244a. Support bracket
246 defines a "slotted" opening 246a having two seats 246b, 246c.
The hinge assemblies further include two rods 70c, 70b which extend
through the through holes 234a, 236a, 238a, 240a, 242a, 244a, and
slotted opening 246a to suspend the hot tank 220 within the water
cooler 10. It will be noted that the spacers 243, 245 are disposed
adjacent the rod 70c to stabilize the rod 70c and the hot tank 220
in position.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the hot tank 220 is in operational
position within the water cooler 10, rod 70c is disposed within
through holes 234a, 236a, 242a, 244a; rod 70b is disposed within
through holes 238a, 240a and opening 246a, seated at seat 246b. In
order to remove the hot tank 220 from the water cooler 10, rod 70c
is removed from the through holes 234a, 236a, 242a, 244a. Once rod
70c is removed, rod 70b is free to move downward in the slotted
opening 246a to seat 246b to pivot and move the hot tank 220
downward within the water cooler 10 away from the valve waterway
assembly 156. Rod 70b may then be removed. from through holes 238a,
240a and opening 246a to completely remove the hot tank 220 from
the water cooler 10. The hot tank 220 may be reassembled within the
cooler 10 in a similar manner.
In order to prevent injury from hot fluid while removing the hot
tank 220, the hot tank 220 is provided with a drain hole 256 to
which a flexible plastic line or drain hose 258 is coupled. In this
way, the hot tank 220 may be drained of all hot fluid before
attempting disassembly.
To prevent fluid from draining from the hose 258 and hot tank 220
during normal usage of the water cooler 10, a pinching assembly is
provide to compress or pinch shut the hose 258. The assembly
includes a cam 260, a U-shaped stirrup 262, and a seat 264. The
seat 264, which may be in the form of a recess, may be integrally
molded with the frame component 27 of the water cooler 10.
Alternately, the seat 264 may be formed as a separate component and
then secured to the frame 27.
The cam 260 is disposed substantially within the seat 264, as shown
in FIG. 10b. The rotational axis of the cam 260 is defined by
outwardly extending pins 260a, 260b. The pins 260a, 260b extend
through slotted openings 264a, 264b in the seat 264 and into
openings 262a, 262b in the stirrup 262. Rotation of the cam 260
draws the stirrup 262 closer to the seat 264. The hose 258 is
disposed between the seat 264 and the stirrup 262. In order to
operate the pinching assembly, the cam 260 is rotated to draw the
stirrup 262 to the seat 264 and pinch the hose 258 therebetween. To
permit water to drain through the hose 258, the cam 260 is again
rotated to release the pinching pressure on the hose 258. It will
be appreciated that the cam 260 is disposed along the back of the
cooler 10 and is completely recessed in the seat so that it
requires the insertion of a thin tool, such as a screw driver, to
initiate its opening rotation. Thus, it is a safety feature that
the cam cannot be rotated in the opening direction by a child's
finger, which could result in the child being scalded by hot water
discharged from the drain hose.
Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, an alternative and preferred
embodiment of the waterway and valve assembly 156 is shown. In this
preferred embodiment, the valve assembly is of two-piece
construction comprised of front 301 and rear 302 waterway portions
which are joined together by suitable fastening means such as
screws 303, bolts or the like. To insure that the assembly does not
leak along the parting line between the two halves 301, 302 of the
assembly, suitable seals 304 are sandwiched between the front and
rear waterway portions 301, 302 before the screws 303 are
tightened. It has been found that this front and rear two-piece
construction of the waterway and valve assembly 156 is easily
openable for inspection and cleaning and can be even more easily
closed and reliably resealed then the upper and lower two-piece
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In other respects, both
embodiments of the waterway and valve assembly 156 illustrated in
FIGS. 6 nd 7 and 12-14 are similar and the same reference numbers
ave been used to designate the common parts and features.
In FIG. 12 it will be seen that the reservoir 100 is provided with
a cold water outlet fitting 200 and a cook water outlet fitting 202
which are respectively press-fit into the inlet coupling portions
162 and 172 in the valve and waterway assembly 156. The reservoir
100 is provided with a baffle 214 having an outlet funnel portion
216 which directs the relatively warmer cooking water into the
outlet fitting 202. As in the prior embodiment this cooking water
is directed down into the assembly 156, through an internal
waterway and out through a coupling portion 172a into an inlet tube
222 of the hot tank 226.
Hot water from the hot tank 226 passes up through an outlet tube
224 into an inlet coupling portion 182 of the valve and waterway
assembly 156. To dispense hot water through the outlet 186, the hot
water dispensing lever 188 is operated to open valve 184 in the
same manner as previously described. Similarly, in order to
dispense cold or cook water from the valves 164, 174 the respective
cold or cook water dispensing lever 168, 178 is depressed in the
same manner as previously described.
It is to be understood that any allowed claims based on this
application are to be accorded a range of equivalence commensurate
in scope with the advance over the prior art.
* * * * *